Turkey's largest aquarium opens to large crowds

Turkey's largest aquarium has been drawing thousands of visitors since Saturday, when it was opened by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and İstanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş.

Visitors will be able to see 15,000 species of fish at the İstanbul Aquarium, which features 16 regions of the world, from the Black Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Inside the aquarium are an exploration trail, an interactive rain forest and next-generation technology.

Erdoğan said this was another important step in İstanbul's desire to become one of the top 10 cities in the world and one of the top five cities in Europe for tourism.

"If İstanbul is moving, working, manufacturing, it is clear these things are also good for Turkey," he said.

The İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality launched the İstanbul Aquarium project, in which TL 268 million was invested. Designed by the municipality, the aquarium complex sits on an area of approximately 100 acres in Florya.

Erdoğan said that this project will make a serious contribution to the city brand. "We have great dreams for İstanbul and Turkey," he said.

Thousands of people and government officials were in attendance at the opening ceremony on Saturday. The aquarium expects to attract 25 million visitors a year.


/World Bulletin/